Cost of Attendance

The cost of attendance (COA) is a yearly estimate of all expenses associated with higher education, and it helps students plan for college. Each college has its own COA, reflecting the specific expenses associated with attending that particular institution. Compare Chico State's COA with expenses at other colleges. You may find that Chico offers a more affordable cost of living compared to many other college towns.

The COA is not a bill and it is for informational purposes only. Costs include both direct expenses payable to Chico State, such as tuition and fees, and indirect expenses that are not payable to Chico State, like personal expenses and transportation. Your actual costs will vary based on your circumstances and the individual decisions you make. Costs may be lower if you budget wisely. Students can reduce expenses by having roommates, eating out less frequently, and commuting to campus by foot, bike or public transportation.

The estimated COA provided below represents a moderate standard of living for full-time students at Chico State over a nine-month academic year, with one semester's expenses being half the amounts listed. 

2024-25:

2023-24:

Footnotes

_(1a)  Undergraduate budget chart is for a 9-month academic year and reflects the actual cost for tuition and fees. Books/supplies are averaged estimates. The costs for food/housing, transportation, and personal expenses are averaged estimates that vary by student depending on their living arrangements. 

_(1b)  Postbaccalaureate budget chart is for a 9-month academic year and reflects weighted averages of actual Credential and Graduate tuition and fees. Books/supplies are averaged estimates. The costs for food/housing, transportation, and personal expenses are averaged estimates that vary by student depending on their living arrangements.

₍₂₎ Tuition/Fees are based on full–time enrollment. All fees are subject to change based on Board of Trustees action. See Student Financial Services for fees and deadlines. There is an additional $270 per unit per semester for MBA and for MS in Accountancy, Business Administration, Health Care Management, Business and Technology, Information Systems, and Taxation.

₍₃₎Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) fees - WUE students pay 150% of the State University Tuition Fee and 100% of the campus fees. The Undergrad WUE additional fees noted above represent 50% of the tuition for 12 units. 

₍₄₎ Non–Resident/International  student fees are calculated by multiplying $396 per unit with the number of full-time units (8 units for postbaccalaureate and 12 units for undergraduate).

About Cost of Attendance

Each college calculates its own Cost of Attendance (COA) or student budget. At Chico State, the student budget is based on the estimated cost of a typical student's tuition fees, books and supplies, food and housing, transportation, and personal expenses for a nine–month academic year (fall and spring semesters). The COA will vary depending on:

• where you live: on or off campus, or with your parents
• whether you are an undergraduate, graduate, or credential student
• whether you are enrolled at least half-time or less than half-time

Knowing the Cost of Attendance is important because the budget helps determine your Financial Need and your financial aid offer. Financial Need is defined as the difference between your Expected Family Contribution and the standard Cost of Attendance calculated for each academic year. This is an important point of comparison between colleges.

Net Price Calculator

Use the Net Price Calculator to receive a rough estimate of your eligibility for grants and need-based loans. This calculator assists you in estimating your costs after taking into account your need-based financial aid eligibility. See our Net Price Calculator webpage for more information. 

Appeals(opens in new window)

Students and their families may face situations where the FAFSA or CADAA information does not accurately reflect their current ability to pay for college. Other students may have experienced extenuating circumstances that prevented them from meeting satisfactory academic progress. There are a variety of appeal(opens in new window) options available to assist students in these situations.

Videos for Parents

See our video library for lots of other helpful financial aid videos!

On-Campus Living Expenses (food/housing)

The above on-campus food and housing rates are averages and are used by the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office for the purpose of packaging financial aid. Actual on-campus food and housing rates are available at University Housing.

AB990 Information (average cost of a one bedroom apartment around the Chico State campus)

The average cost to rent a one bedroom apartment within the areas surrounding the Chico State campus is $857. This information is updated yearly on February 1st. It is important to understand the above average cost is for rent only and does not include cost of food, utilities, garbage, rental deposit, and other necessary expenses to rent an apartment.

Our Off-Campus cost of attendance for food and housing is an average amount for a 9-month period. Most students usually share an apartment to reduce their cost of food and housing.

For more information about off-campus housing and services provided by the university for students living off-campus, see Off Campus Student Services.

For additional information on how Cost of Attendance helps determine your financial aid offer, see Understanding Your Award.